Materials

Every true dweomer requires some object or group of objects to assist in casting the spell. The rarer and more difficult a material component is, the easier it is to complete the enchantment. To be effective, however, a material component must be symbolic of what the spell does. For example, destroying a large diamond is costly but ineffective unless the spell has something to do with protecting or destroying something of value (the caster literally pays the price for the item that is effective), overcoming resistance (gem-quality diamonds don’t exactly grow on trees, so finding one and destroying it represents a small triumph of sorts), or command over the element of earth (because a diamond is a rare mineral). There is no easy way to choose a material component for a spell; like choosing materials for a magical item (see page 90), the process requires a great deal of imagination and guesswork. The various spell descriptions in the Player’s Handbook provide examples to follow.

Wizards do not need spellbooks to cast true dweomers, although a set of written notes about how to go about creating the spell can be helpful.

Priest true dweomers require holy symbols in addition to other components. Holy symbols are not consumed when a true dweomer is cast, but other material components are. Priests can benefit from written notes in the same manner as wizards.

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